The first day I saw him I'll never forgetDowntown on the sidewalk where we first metOn a small wooden stand by the old timer's barHe was singing a song strumming alongOn an old flat top Gibson guitar

His tall weary frame showed long years of neglectAnd his pride had been buried beside his respectRecalling the day pushed his memory too farBut when all's said and done he was second to noneOn that old flat top Gibson guitar

On warm summer's evening when hours were mineI'd be down there with him from seven till nineA boy of twelve years dreaming of being a starSo he taught me to play in his own special wayOn that old flat top Gibson guitar

We grew as close as father and sonYet we knew that the time for the parting would comeThen came the night he was not by the barI felt so alone that I cried going homeFor him and that old flat top Gibson guitar

My mother was standing by our garden gatePointing to a car leaving dust in its wakeYour friend came by she said in that old carAnd he left on the lawn what you wanted so longAn old flat top Gibson guitar

The years have gone by and I'm up with the greatsI traveled all over the United StatesAnd I've searched every crowd but with no luck so farWonder where could he be and does he see meStill playing that old flat top Gibson guitar